TheCable

New research has shown that COVID-19 antibodies can remain in the human system for as long as 10 months after infection.

Antibodies are proteins produced in the blood, which are responsible for fighting infections.

According to a new study by researchers at the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (Labcorp), a life sciences company that specialises in diagnostics and drug development, after analysing samples from 39,086 persons confirmed positive for the coronavirus, a significant percentage of the individuals showed extended antibody retention.

“We have demonstrated a sustained positivity rate of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein past ten months post-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection using data from over 39,000 patients, with linear trends indicating a substantial population half-life,” an excerpt from the study, which is published in The Lancet, reads.

“Results from observational and longitudinal population-level data may help guide current and future post-pandemic planning, such as public health restrictions.

“In addition, these findings show that antibody status is dependent on age, sex, protein type, and the number of days since a patient’s positive PCR test. This study is novel in that it provides an epidemiological view from one of the United States’ largest diagnostic laboratories, which has access to some of the most substantial longitudinal data on COVID-19.”

Speaking on the development in Reno Gazette Journal, Brian Caveney, Labcorp diagnostics chief medical officer and president, said the overall results point to positive developments regarding the management of COVID-19.

“More research must be done to understand what type and level of antibodies suggest protection from reinfection. But the prolonged presence of certain antibodies is a promising sign as we continue thinking about safely emerging from the pandemic, as well as future vaccinations and the timing of booster shots,” Caveney said.

The development follows previous studies which had suggested that antibodies may last for only two to three months after a person becomes infected with the coronavirus.